Make me feel better -Really nervous about rentingfrom owner

[3mickeymom]

We just booked flights for a last minute vacation to Florida June 23 to July 2. We are traveling with seven people so we are looking to stay in a condo or house. Yesterday, I spent the day looking at Windsor Hill rent and Vista Cay rent. They both have some availability for my dates but my husband and I are concerned about renting this way. It is all new to us. We have stayed at the Vistana , Vistana Villages and The Star Island. We booked through Hotels.com or hotelkingdom.com. Advice needed. Thanks.

 

[mbb]

It's a worrisome thing - you're sending a large amount of $$$ to someone you found "on the internet"...

...and that's just not easy to do

Both of the sites you were looking at have great reputations for renting

And there are a couple of things you can do to help ease the transaction..

1) Always have a rental contract.
2) If the owner takes a credit card, that's a good thing...don't be dismayed if the owner tells you there is a small percentage charge for taking the credit card - this is normal. Some owners will waive it for you though too
3) Ask for renter references/read their testimonials.
4) Ask LOTS of questions in your initial emails - the more questions you ask upfront, the easier the rental will go.

And don't be afraid to ask us anything here, we have lots of renters, and owners that will be happy to advise along the way

HTH you feel a little better

 

[Christine]

I, too, felt like you did. We did a last minute Easter trip and all we could find was a vacation home. I was VERY nervous about it. I can't begin to tell you.

Turned out to be our best "hotel" stay ever. It was worth every penny and every worry. Home rentals are a big business in Orlando and it's not strange at all when you figure out how many people are doing it.

 

[chele4kids]

Don't want to hijack this thread, but I was thinking about posting the same thing. We put down our deposit, and the final payment is due in a few weeks, 60 days ahead. I am just so nervous that we will get to Florida and have no home to stay in! The owner we are using does charge an extra 2.5%for using a credit card, and that did have me concerned. It's good to know that's common. And we do have a rental agreement. Are there any red flags that we should watch out for, or just relax and go with it? Any questions that we should ask for sure? Thanks!

 

[sympatico]

We've rented homes this way over the last 10 years or so and have never had a problem and not just in Florida but other places too.But when I find out the owner's names I check the tax records site to make sure that they own the property. It's easy to do and doesn't cost you anything. This is the site for Osceola County( Kissimmee area), just click the records search site and put their names in. http://www.property-appraiser.org/
If it's on 27 or in Davenport you have to use the Polk County site.
http://map.polkpa.org/map.aspx
Sometimes we've had a rental contract and sometimes we've just had an email confirmation. We would rather pay by credit card or PayPal even with the 2 - 3 % extra charge. This is because it costs them to process the card.
If I use vrbo.com I usually check at the bottom of the page and see how long they've been listed, the longer the better. Although in places like Windsor Hills the owners may have just acquired the property and it's just being listed also the tax records may not yet have them listed.
We're renting a new home in the new section of WH and it took about a month for the owner's name to be listed for that property on the tax records. I wasn't too concerned because she has other homes there as well.
There's also the idea that if someone does get ripped off in one of these communities that sooner rather than later the names will appear on either these boards or Trip Advisor boards. Bad news travels fast.
I have found that these Disboards are beyond compare when it comes to getting information and opinions about renting.
I don't think you have anything to worry about but do your research and ask questions.

 

[kerry34]

Everyone has already given you all the advice that I would have so I just wanted to tell you that I was the exact same way before our trip. I worried right up until it was time to go and we had no troubles at all. Just follow the advice everyone here has given you. We plan on renting again next year since it was so nice having a whole house for such a great price. You can't beat it.

 

[3mickeymom]

I can always count on everyone here for great advice. I will be narrowing down my choices this morning. Wish me luck. Thanks again. Planning is nerve wracking but oh so much fun!!! I just keep thinking WE"RE GOING TO DISNEY!!!

 

[FLParadisevilla]

Have a great time!!! Hopefully we can convert you to a home renter from now on!!!

 

[isla bonita]

I would add when you have made your final choice post it on here. You never know you might hear some lovely things that might ease your mind a bit.

 

[snowangel72]

We go to our VERY FIRST rental on July 4 and I am also nervous. I am just praying it works out. I can't imagine being stuck with no place to sleep. That would be awful!
Melanie

 

[5mins2disney]

We go to our VERY FIRST rental on July 4 and I am also nervous. I am just praying it works out. I can't imagine being stuck with no place to sleep. That would be awful!
Melanie

I've never heard of this happening, at least not in any of the "mainstay" offsite resorts that most recommend here on this forum.

The majority of guests come back and report a fantastic experience, and wouldn't go back to a traditional hotel room ever again!

A very small percentage of people have had problems or just didn't like this type of vacation, if room service and daily maid service are your "thing", for instance, you might not want to rent a vacation home, but if you like having better amenities, a nicer place, and more space for less $$, well, look no further!

 

[Mainebound]

Go for it. You won't regret it. The homeowners we have dealt with have been the nicest people. Far more pleasant to deal with than most hotel staff, actually.

I like the idea of checking the city records -- I always do that -- and if you are concerned I would call the home owner. Just a quick chat with a real live person can make you feel more secure.

 

[chele4kids]

Hi, I checked the property records, everything is as the owner says. This is a brand new home, and the records show it as a vacant lot, but if I remember right, they evaluate every 6 months, correct? And should I pay the final payment with a credit card, not a check? I had planned to just mail a check, but maybe I should reconsider. Thanks for all the reassurance!

 

[sympatico]

Chele,
I guess it's what you're comfortable with. A credit card will give you a little added protection. I'm from Canada so sending a cheque means sending a money order in US funds and then wonder whether the money order will get lost or whatever. It's just easier for us to use a credit card.
Which subdivision are you staying in?

 

[chele4kids]

We're staying at a 6 bedroom in Windsor Hills. I found it on VRBO. If I'm allowed to, I can post the listing number. The owner has several properties. I guess the only thing that bothered me is the website linked to is a little out of date, maybe I should email and ask about that, then I'll feel a little better.

 

[horseshowmom]

JMHO, but I always use my credit card for payment. I've only had to pay extra one time (3%), but it was fine with me. I feel better having the extra protection.

I've rented several times in Orlando. I first started renting when I was there but now try to check VRBO anytime I go somewhere that might have house/condo rentals available.

I'm sitting in a 2BR/2BA luxury beachfront condo with a large, beautiful balcony in Biloxi right now that I got through VRBO. I'm actually paying about $5 a night less for it than I would have for the reservation I first made at the Holiday Inn up the beach (before I found the condo). The extra room, W/D, full kitchen, etc. is so much better than a hotel.

 

[Mainebound]

We're staying at a 6 bedroom in Windsor Hills. I found it on VRBO. If I'm allowed to, I can post the listing number. The owner has several properties. I guess the only thing that bothered me is the website linked to is a little out of date, maybe I should email and ask about that, then I'll feel a little better.

As long as you have a minimum number of posts, you can post websites. I actually put the homes I rent in my signature, because I am just as proud of where I stay (offiste) as on-siters are of posting where they stay!

When it comes to pool homes, yes, you are allowed to post a site provided (mods correct me if I am wrong here) that you do not own the home or directly benefit financially from it.

 

[sympatico]

Chel
Sounds like the place we're renting in Nov. I sent you a PM with the details.

 

[Violets by da Marina]

We rented for our first trip. It was 8 total, my family 4 and my best friend 4 also. The house was amazing and everthing was very well taken care of.
It's really nice to rent a condo because you have so much room, but we did miss out on the staying onsite things. Which hopefully next year we'll make up for that. But don't worry. It's scary, but it will all be ok. The owners do this every year. They are pro's. Look at this one.

The Venetian Palace
http://www.prestigevacationsdirect.com/4bedhomes.asp
*****
4 Bedroom - 3 Bathroom - Executive Pool & Spa Home
Private pool with jacuzzi spa - Non Smoking
Private Swimming Pool with Jacuzzi Spa
The family size spa will relax you after a long day in those Disney parks.
Portable security fences can be set up in minutes to protect younger children.
Nothing beats a jacuzzi after a long day in the park!
And they are right. Your feet are going to be so tired, relaxing in the spa and swimming late at night really feels good.
Have a great time!!!

 

[deejay-55]

There is always an element of trust involved - you are trusting the owners to rent you their home, and they are trusting you to take care of their investment. It usually works out just fine!